Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: English Language Fellow Program for Academic Year 2006-2007, 12028-12033 [05-4721]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 46 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12028-12033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4721]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5012]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: English Language Fellow Program for Academic Year 
2006-2007

    Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/L-06-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.421.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: May 20, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Office of English Language Programs of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open 
competition for proposals to advance the Bureau's objectives through 
support of academic exchanges that will result in the improvement of 
English teaching capacity around the world and the enhancement of 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people 
overseas.
    The English Language Fellow Program places American citizens 
holding advanced TEFL/TESL or Applied Linguistics degrees with teacher-
training and/or materials development experience and recent graduates 
with TEFL/TESL Master's degrees in all regions of the world at 
universities, teacher-training institutions, ministries of education, 
bi-national centers and other related language education institutions 
for ten-month assignments. Pending the availability of FY 2006 Funds, 
the Bureau anticipates placement of approximately 120 English Language 
Fellows overseas in academic year 2006-2007. Public and private non-
profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal 
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501 (c) (3) may submit proposals to 
administer and manage the English Language Fellow Program for academic 
year 2006-2007.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority

    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of 
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of other countries; to strengthen the ties which unite us with 
other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, 
developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and 
other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly, 
sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the 
other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the program 
above is provided through legislation.

Purpose

    The English Language Fellow Program places experienced American 
teacher trainers and recent TEFL/TESL Master's degree graduates in all 
regions of the world at universities, teacher-training institutions, 
ministries of education, bi-national centers and other related language 
education institutions for ten-month assignments. The Program provides 
an opportunity for American English language professionals to share 
their vast knowledge and skills overseas, to cultivate international 
teaching experience for Americans and to promote cross-cultural 
partnerships that will foster a better and firsthand understanding of 
the United States and its citizens. There are two levels of English 
Language Fellows:
    1. English Language Fellows (formerly known as junior Fellows) are 
graduates who have received their TEFL/TESL M.A. degrees within the 
past seven years and who may or may not have prior overseas teaching 
experience.

[[Page 12029]]

Fellows serve as full-time teachers of English as a Foreign Language 
(EFL). Normal teaching duties are 20 contact hours per week with 
additional work in teacher training, curriculum, and testing. Together 
these duties should not exceed 40 hours per week and should not include 
administrative work.
    2. Senior English Language Fellows are experienced teacher trainers 
who have an M.A. or higher degree in TEFL/TESL or a closely related 
field and who have significant overseas teaching experience. Fellows 
serve as full-time teacher trainers and participants in the following 
program-related activities: teaching English for Specific Purposes 
(ESP) in a variety of professional fields, designing English as a 
Foreign Language (EFL) curricula materials, conducting program 
evaluation and testing, and organizing workshops and conferences.
    The overarching goals of the English Language Fellow Program are 
to:
     Advance the Department of State's mutual understanding 
objectives;
     Enhance English teaching capacity overseas in order to 
provide foreign teachers and students with the communications skills 
they will need to participate in the global economy;
     Improve foreign teachers' and students' access to diverse 
perspectives on a broad variety of issues; and
     Give foreign teachers and students information that will 
enable them to better understand and convey concepts about American 
values, democratic representative government, free enterprise, and the 
rule of law.

Applicant Eligibility

     Applicants must be citizens of the United States.
     Fellow applicants must have received a Master's degree in 
TEFL/TESL within the last seven years.
     Senior Fellow applicants must have previous overseas 
teaching experience and a Master's degree or higher in TEFL/TESL, 
Applied Linguistics (or a related field).

Background

    Since the events of September 11, 2001, the English Language Fellow 
Program has become a major public diplomacy tool for combating 
terrorism and democracy building. The program's funding and the number 
of participants have increased by more than 70% in the past three years 
with a high concentration of the placements in Muslim countries. The 
Bureau seeks to award grant funding to applicants with the ability to 
continue these objectives, incorporate lessons learned and build upon 
past successes in order to further expand the breadth of the program. A 
grant will be awarded to an organization or organizations that have the 
necessary infrastructure and experience conducting academic exchange 
programs. The timing of the grant award and the amount of funding for 
this program are subject to the availability of funds in fiscal year 
2006.
    The Bureau will accept proposals from single applicants or from 
those that have formed partnerships with qualified partners to 
implement specific tasks required to carry out the project.

Program Guidelines

    The responsibilities of the organization administering the program 
range from promoting the English Language Fellow Program to providing 
logistical support and include:
     Conducting extensive and comprehensive promotion and 
advertisement of the Fellows Program;
     Recruiting the most qualified, experienced and brightest 
applicants for the English Language Fellow Program. The Bureau plans to 
select up to 120 English Language Fellows (approximately 80% will be 
English Language Fellows, 20% Senior English Language Fellows) for 
worldwide placement in AY 2006-2007;
     Hiring experienced and knowledgeable TEFL/TESL-qualified 
staff to recruit Fellows and to match Fellows' professional skills with 
specific projects in order to maximize Fellows' effectiveness and 
positive impact on in-country programs and their ability to help 
advance ECA's public diplomacy goals;
     Planning and conducting a pre-departure briefing for 
Fellows in Washington, DC;
     Providing fiscal management of program budgets;
     Providing travel and logistical support to embassies on 
behalf of Fellows' activities;
     Enrolling Fellows in the Bureau Accident and Sickness 
Program for Exchanges (ASPE), including submitting Fellows' health 
verification records to the Bureau for clearance;
     Monitoring Fellows programs, activities and participants;
     Conducting regional site visits;
     Developing an evaluation strategy designed to measure the 
impact and outcome of the program as well as the effectiveness of 
individual participants;
     Assisting the Bureau and designated posts sponsoring 
conferences with planning and implementation of up to five (5) overseas 
regional Fellow Mid-Year conferences;
     Maintaining information sharing activities (Web site, 
listserv, database) and disseminating alumni updates.
    The responsibilities of the grantee organization are clearly 
detailed in the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI). 
Due to the diverse responsibilities involved in administering the 
cooperative agreement, the Bureau welcomes the submission of proposals 
involving a consortium of grant-managing organizations. These 
organizations may be sub-grantees responsible for carrying out specific 
activities or components of the program such as recruitment, financial 
and logistical management, reporting requirements, pre-departure 
briefing, evaluations, etc.
    The Office of English Language Programs and U.S. embassies are 
substantially involved in program roles and responsibilities. The U.S. 
embassies facilitate managing the Fellow Program in country while the 
Bureau provides overall program and policy design and direction that 
require substantial involvement at all levels of the Fellows Program. 
Under the auspices of the cooperative agreement, the role of the Bureau 
and the Department's regional geographic bureaus includes:
     Inviting U.S. embassies to submit English Language Fellow 
proposals;
     Reviewing and analyzing projects' viability in raising the 
academic standards of English Language teaching and in promoting the 
Bureau's public diplomacy goals;
     Analyzing the impact of projects on communities and the 
ability of prospective projects to meet community needs;
     Prioritizing and finalizing selection of projects for 
which grantee organization will recruit Fellow candidates;
     Reviewing candidates' qualifications and resumes, and 
monitoring projects, participants and program activities;
     Communicating with U.S. embassies to resolve program and 
Fellow issues;
     Reviewing reports about Fellow activities and projects in 
the field.
    U.S. embassies submit proposals that have identified opportunities 
for partnerships with in-country host institutions in accordance with 
the guidance provided by the Bureau and the Department's regional 
geographical bureaus, and are responsible for managing the Fellow 
Program on the ground. The role of the U.S. embassies includes:
     Host institution selection, including evaluating security 
of prospective sites;
     Establishing viable partnerships with prospective in-
country host institutions that have critical English language 
programming needs;

[[Page 12030]]

     Developing project proposals in consultation with in-
country host institutions to be managed by Fellows;
     Reviewing applicants' qualifications and making final 
selections of Fellow candidates in consultation with in-country host 
institutions;
     Contacting Fellows prior to arrival to answer questions, 
manage expectations, and ensure that they have accurate information 
regarding housing, visa requirements, the security situation, etc.;
     Conducting Fellows' in-country orientation and security/
safety briefing;
     Working to maximize participants' safety, security and 
well-being, locating and securing quality housing, ensuring that the 
Fellows' visa/residency status is adjusted immediately after arrival in 
host country to comply with host country immigration regulations; and 
acting as a direct point of contact;
     Conducting site visits and the monitoring of Fellows' 
programs and activities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. Bureau's level of involvement 
in this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2006 (Pending availability of funds).
    Approximate Total Funding: $6,000,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $6,000,000.
    Floor of Award Range: N/A.
    Ceiling of Award Range: N/A.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 1, 
2005.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2007.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
the Bureau's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Proposals may be submitted by public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S. 501(c)(3).
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs. When cost sharing is offered, it is 
understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of 
cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an 
approved grant agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable 
direct or indirect costs. For accountability, the applicant must 
maintain written records to support all costs that are claimed as a 
contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. 
Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value 
of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB 
Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost Sharing and Matching. In 
the event the applicant does not provide the minimum amount of cost 
sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, Bureau's contribution 
will be reduced in like proportion.
    III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: Bureau grant guidelines 
require that organizations with less than four years of experience in 
conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau 
funding. The Bureau anticipates awarding one grant, in an amount up to 
$6,000,000, to support program and administrative costs required to 
implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges are 
ineligible to apply under this competition. The Bureau encourages 
applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in 
support of its programs.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete Federal Register announcement 
before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP 
deadline has passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition 
with applicants until the proposal review process has been 
completed.


    IV.1. Contact Information to Request an Application Package: Please 
contact the Office of English Language Programs, U.S. Department of 
State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone 
(202) 619-5878 and fax (202) 401-1250, or williamsoncj@state.gov to 
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number ECA/A/L-06-01 located at the top of this announcement when 
making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document, which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation. It also 
contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) 
document, which provides specific information, award criteria and 
budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Office of English Language Programs, Program Officer 
Catherine Williamson and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/
L-06-01 located at the top of this announcement on all other inquiries 
and correspondence.
    IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's Web site at: 
https://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm. Please read all 
information before downloading.
    IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and 15 copies of 
the application should be sent per the instructions under IV.3e. 
``Submission Dates and Times'' section below.
    IV.3a. Applicants are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or 
cooperative agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-
digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business 
entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To 
obtain a DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-
866-705-5711. Please ensure that the DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424, which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget. Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It 
contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document 
and the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document 
for additional formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the 
time of application. If applicant's organization is a private nonprofit 
which has not received a grant or cooperative agreement from the Bureau 
in the past three years, or if the organization received nonprofit 
status from the IRS within the past four years, applicant must submit 
the necessary documentation to verify nonprofit status as directed in 
the PSI document. Failure to do so will cause the proposal to be 
declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa: 
Although the

[[Page 12031]]

English Language Fellow program's goal is to place U.S. citizens in 
positions overseas and only very rarely is involved in bringing foreign 
citizens to the U.S., nonetheless the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs is placing renewed emphasis on the secure and proper 
administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by 
grantees and sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. 
Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to 
meet all requirements governing the administration of the Exchange 
Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, including the oversight of 
Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and 
selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information 
and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper 
maintenance and security of forms, recordkeeping, reporting and other 
requirements.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at https://
exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 401-9810, 
Fax: (202) 401-9809.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
    IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines: Pursuant to 
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, 
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section 
for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal. 
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of 
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such 
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' 
Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
proposals include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives. The Bureau expects that the applicant will track 
participants and partners and be able to respond to key evaluation 
questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning as a 
result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the program, 
and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in which 
participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan should 
include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as well 
as substantive knowledge. Successful monitoring and evaluation depend 
heavily on setting clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. 
The evaluation plan should include a description of the project's 
objectives, anticipated project outcomes, and how and when these 
outcomes (performance indicators) will be measured. The more that 
outcomes are ``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-
oriented, and placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be 
to conduct the evaluation.
    Applicants must also show how the project objectives link to the 
goals of the program described in this RFGP. The monitoring and 
evaluation plan should clearly distinguish between program outputs and 
outcomes. Outputs are products and services delivered, often stated as 
an amount. Output information is important to show the scope or size of 
project activities, but it cannot substitute for information about 
progress towards outcomes or the results achieved. Examples of outputs 
include the number of people trained or the number of seminars 
conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, represent specific results a project 
is intended to achieve and is usually measured as an extent of change. 
Findings on outputs and outcomes should both be reported, but the focus 
should be on outcomes.
    We encourage applicants to assess the following four levels of 
outcomes, as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP 
(listed here in increasing order of importance):
     Participant satisfaction with the program and the exchange 
experience.
     Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, 
aptitude, skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning 
includes both substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual 
understanding.
     Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge 
in work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
     Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.
    Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-term 
outcomes. Overall, the quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan 
will be judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) 
gives clear descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) 
identifies when particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides 
a clear description of the data collection strategies for each outcome 
(i.e., surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that 
evaluation plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes 
[satisfaction] will be deemed less competitive under the present 
evaluation criteria.)
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected, including survey responses and contact information, 
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the 
Bureau upon request.
    Describe plans for: Sustainability, overall program management, 
staffing, coordination with the Bureau and U.S. embassies or any other 
requirements, etc.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing the budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. For allowable costs for the program, please refer to the 
Solicitation

[[Page 12032]]

Package and POGI for complete budget guidelines and formatting 
instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: May 
20, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: In light of recent events and heightened 
security measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally 
recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, 
Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.) 
and be shipped no later than the above deadline. The delivery services 
used by applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping 
identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via the 
Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly 
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or 
before the above deadline but received at the Bureau more than seven 
days after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration 
under this competition. Proposals shipped after the established 
deadlines are ineligible for consideration under this competition. It 
is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that each package is 
marked with a legible tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery 
to the Bureau via the Internet. The Bureau will not notify applicants 
upon receipt of application. Delivery of proposal packages may not be 
made via local courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed 
documents will not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as 
stated above will be considered. Applications may not be submitted 
electronically at this time. Applicants must follow all instructions in 
the Solicitation Package.
    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure to 
include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it in an 
envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.
    The original and 15 copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/L-06-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program. Applicants must also submit the 
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 
proposal in text (.txt) format on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will 
provide these files electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs 
Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for embassy review.

V. Application Review Information

    V.1. Review Process: The Bureau will review all proposals for 
technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do 
not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas where 
appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with 
Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau 
grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the 
Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final 
funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State's 
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for cooperative agreements resides with the 
Bureau's Grants Officer.
    Review Criteria: Technically eligible applications will be 
competitively reviewed according to the criteria stated below. These 
criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the 
proposal evaluation:
    1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission.
    2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    7. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs management, 
including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all 
reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau 
Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives are recommended.
    10. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing: The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be 
necessary and appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost sharing 
through other private sector support as well as institutional direct 
funding contributions.
    11. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessments by the U.S. Department of State's 
geographic area desk and overseas officers of program need, potential 
impact, and significance in the partner countries.
    12. TEFL-TESL Background: Proposals should demonstrate a plan to 
network that allows for the greatest dissemination of information to 
the profession of Teachers of English as a Second or Foreign Language. 
Moreover, the applicant must be able to provide knowledgeable, 
experienced management staff with TEFL/TESL academic (Master's degree 
or above) qualifications capable of interviewing candidates and 
evaluating their teaching qualifications.

VI. Award Administration Information

    VI.1a. Award Notices: Final awards cannot be made until funds have 
been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal 
Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive an Assistance 
Award Document (AAD) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the 
original grant

[[Page 12033]]

proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the 
only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. 
Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and 
mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the 
application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review from the Bureau program office coordinating this 
competition.
    VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Terms and 
Conditions for the Administration of Bureau agreements include the 
following:
     Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost 
Principles for Nonprofit Organizations.''
     Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost 
Principles for Educational Institutions.''
     OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and 
Indian Governments.''
     OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
     OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
     OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local 
Government, and Non-profit Organizations.
    Please reference the following Web sites for additional 
information:
     https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
     https://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/
terms.htm#articleI.
    VI.3. Reporting Requirements: Grantee must provide Bureau with a 
hard copy original plus two copies of the following reports:
    Interim Program Reporting: A report describing and evaluating the 
activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be submitted 
within 30 days following each calendar year quarter.
    Interim Financial Reporting: A report reflecting expenditures 
against each line item set forth in Section C of Article III of the 
award document shall be submitted within 30 days following each 
calendar year quarter. The Recipient's Chief Fiscal Officer or an 
officer of comparable rank must certify this report.
    Final Program Reporting: A report describing and evaluating the 
activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be submitted 
within ninety (90) days after the expiration date of this Agreement.
    Final Financial Reporting: A report reflecting expenditures against 
each line item set forth in Section of Article III of the award 
document shall be submitted within ninety (90) days after the 
expiration date of this Agreement. This report must disclose cost 
sharing and be certified by the Recipient's Chief Fiscal Officer or an 
officer of comparable rank.
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request. All reports must be sent to the 
Bureau Grants Officer and the Bureau Program Officer listed in the 
final assistance award document.
    Optional Program Data Requirements: Organizations awarded grants 
will be required to maintain specific data on program participants and 
activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be 
shared with the Bureau as required. As a minimum, the data must include 
the following:
    (1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all 
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or 
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.
    (2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing 
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take 
place. Final schedules for in country and U.S. activities must be 
received by the Bureau Program Officer at least three working days 
prior to the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Catherine 
Williamson, Office of English Language Programs, Programs Branch, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
at (202) 619-5878 and fax: (202) 401-1250, e-mail: 
WilliamsonCJ@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/L-06-01.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

    Notice: The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding 
and may not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory 
information provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language 
will not be binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award 
commitment on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right 
to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the 
needs of the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be 
subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section 
VI.3 above.

    Dated: February 28, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-4721 Filed 3-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P